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April Fools

One caller reported seeing tiny, perfectly shaped orange fish in a trail along the surfline in front of the Diplomat Resort. Others reported slightly larger, translucent fish in red as far south as the Quick Point Park.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 31, 2022
APRIL FOOL: Concerned Longboaters report fish kill

Weekend angst subsides as sloppy family is blamed for scaring locals in the middle of tourist season.

  • April Fools
Town officials found graffiti sprayed on the practice backboard of the court-sport complex.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 31, 2022
APRIL FOOL: Vandals court trouble, put park in pickle

Latest round of pranks involve spray-painted messages.

  • April Fools
No Toreador Crimson carpet for GMD.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 4, 2021
April Fool's strikes again in the Observer

Wacky sources, paper-thin premises, ludicrously misshapen story angles add up to our annual festival of foolishness.

  • April Fools
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 1, 2021
APRIL FOOLS: Haiku for SRQ contest aims to eliminate graffiti

If the haiku contest goes well, city leaders say a limerick contest could follow.

  • April Fools
David Drake, who is 5 years old, has collected nearly a dozen rocks during his rock hunt at Kids R Kids Learning Academy.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 1, 2021
APRIL FOOLS — No eggs? Simply rock on in Lakewood Ranch

APRIL FOOLS — Lakewood Ranch moms hosts rock hunt to replace cancelled egg hunt events.

  • April Fools
Could aging rocker Robert Plant end up with another kind of Stairway to Heaven?
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 1, 2021
APRIL FOOLS — Rocker rendezvous about to take place in the Lake Club of Lakewood Ranch

APRIL FOOLS — Stairway to Heaven Assisted Living Facility could bring together amazing musicians in Lakewood Ranch.

  • April Fools
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 1, 2021
APRIL FOOLS: Subscription parking service comes to town

Fee-based system allows free reign to leave vehicles where ever driver wants.

  • April Fools
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 1, 2021
APRIL FOOLS: Wide range of user fees hit the beach

County rolls out a series of new charges to help financial balance.

  • April Fools
A quarter-scale test dune was created on Bradenton Beach to rest the feasibility.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 1, 2021
APRIL FOOLS: 'Dirt-cheap' deal on sand

BOGO purchase for beaches will lead to long-term supply, five-story dunes.

  • April Fools
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 1, 2021
APRIL FOOLS: Affluent effluent a treat for the environment, study reveals

Town's smart food and drink choices are benefiting Sarasota Bay's ecosystem.

  • April Fools
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 1, 2021
APRIL FOOLS: Manual Mondays bring quiet to town

A weekday of quiet is the goal, organizers say.

  • April Fools
Man-made? Really!
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 1, 2021
APRIL FOOLS: WOKE group urges town to wake up over landmarks

Organization says Longboat names are insensitive and demands new ones.

  • April Fools
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 1, 2021
APRIL FOOLS: State rolls out the carpet on GMD

Longboat first in the state to receive sidewalk floor covering.

  • April Fools
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 1, 2021
APRIL FOOLS: Artist finds his new direction edgy, arresting

Longbeach Village tenant captures the "outlaw moment" in works inspired by police reports.

  • April Fools
Users can book small performances or full orchestra concerts via a smartphone app.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 1, 2021
APRIL FOOLS: No music hall? No problem.

The Sarasota Orchestra is ditching its plans for a new venue in favor of an on-demand model built around outdoor performances.

  • April Fools
« 1 2 3 4 5 6 »
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Latest News

1
Tony Barrett is running for the at-large District 6 commission seat in Manatee County.
  • April 1, 2026
East Manatee fire commissioner enters at-large County Commission race
2
  • April 1, 2026
Citywide speed limits set at 20 mph on local streets
3
The southern end of Longboat Key feature many mid-rise condo buildings including the Beaches of Longboat Key (right, built in 1984), Regent Place of Longboat Key (middle two buildings, built in 1995) and Longboat Key Towers (left two buildings, built in 1970).
  • April 1, 2026
Inspections show LBK condo buildings in sound shape but come at a cost
4
Myakka's Sydney McCullough shows off the first place ribbon and belt buckle she won in January for whip cracking in the senior division at the Manatee County Fair.
  • April 1, 2026
Cracking a whip has been a snap for Myakka teenager
5
Man falls for electronic payments scam of $6,000
  • April 1, 2026
Man falls for electronic payments scam of $6,000

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